A complimentary service offered by the local transit authority kept 35 fewer intoxicated motorists off St. Joseph County roads over the New Year’s celebration.

The fifth New Year’s Eve Free Ride Home event, sponsored by the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority, saw a 13 percent increase in ridership compared to its number of riders a year ago.

Marci Mauldin, operations manager for the Three Rives-based CTA, said 20 rides were provided by the bus designated for the Three Rivers area, while 15 people boarded the bus operating in the Sturgis area.

“The weather was a factor in some cases, but the promotion was publicized more this year than it has been in the past, so 35 was a good number,” she said. “There were fliers at many restaurants around the county and word of mouth seems to be growing.”

The service started at 10 p.m. Tuesday and concluded at 4 a.m. Wednesday.

The most-popular pickup locations were the American Legions and Elks lodges in Three Rives and Sturgis; the In-Between bar and restaurant in White Pigeon Township; Paisano’s in Three Rivers and Cowboy Up in Mendon Township.

Donna Gosa, who manned the Three Rivers-area bus, said everyone she picked up was in good spirits and all riders expressed their appreciation for the service.

“It was a different mood than what I’m used to on a normal daytime route, but there weren’t any problems and it looked to me like everyone had had a good time,” she said. “There were two (reserve officers) from the sheriff’s department on the bus, so everyone felt safe, too.”

Gosa, who joined the agency in the fall, said the peak period was between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m., though her last pickup was at 3:30 a.m.

She said passengers indicated they hope the service continues, as it is a low-cost way to potentially save lives.

The CTA spent more than $500 to stage the annual program, according to executive director Steve Yorks. He said sponsorship to support Free Ride Home is much appreciated.

“There’s the cost to pay the drivers and run the buses, but we did more advertising this year than usual,” Yorks said. “This is becoming an established program and people seem to be more and more aware of it as the years pass, so I’d like to thank our sponsors for making it possible, once again.”

Past ridership numbers were 31 in 2012, 36 in 2011, 22 in 2009 and a record 37 in 2008. The service was not offered in 2010.